Adjustable Diving Bell Framework with Flexible Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diving bells for underfloor power/telecommunications distributors are expensive to produce and inflexible in size, with stainless steel models requiring high production costs and complex welding, and resin-reinforced plastic models being limited in size adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A diving bell composed of a framework and a watertight, gas-tight cover made from inexpensive materials like plastic film or tarpaulin, with adjustable metal or plastic profiles forming the framework to allow for customizable geometry and size adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diving bell is made of stainless steel, then protection reliability is improved, but production cost and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible waterproof and gas-tight cover made of plastic film or tarpaulin material instead of rigid stainless steel. This flexible covering is stretched over a framework to form the diving bell enclosure, providing the necessary protection while being much cheaper and easier to manufacture than metal construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The diving bell is divided into a framework structure and a separate cover element. The framework provides structural support while the cover provides protection, allowing each component to be optimized independently and assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If a diving bell is made of stainless steel, then protection reliability is improved, but welding effort and technical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover eliminates the need for welding entirely. The cover is attached to the framework using mechanical fastening methods such as clips, bands, or tensioning systems, completely avoiding the complex and technically difficult welding processes required for stainless steel construction.
3Productivity
If deep-drawing tools are used to produce a diving bell, then production capability is improved, but production cost and tooling investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover can be produced using simple cutting and forming processes rather than expensive deep-drawing tools. The material is cut to size and shaped to fit the framework, eliminating the need for costly specialized tooling while maintaining production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover allows for dynamic adjustment and adaptation during assembly and use. The covering can be tensioned, adjusted, and fitted to various framework configurations, providing manufacturing flexibility without requiring expensive fixed tooling.
4Manufacturing precision
If the diving bell size is fixed by the deep-drawing tool, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The framework and cover system allows for dynamic size adjustment to accommodate different application requirements. The framework dimensions can be varied and the flexible cover adapts to the chosen configuration, enabling the same basic design to serve multiple size requirements without being locked into a single fixed dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular framework structure allows for easy reconfiguration and resizing. Individual framework components can be adjusted or replaced to change the overall dimensions, and the flexible cover is simply reattached to the new configuration, providing size adaptability while maintaining manufacturing precision for each specific size.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The cone has an inner scaffold (1) and an outer scaffold (2) that are covered in gas-tight and waterproof manner. A film/tarpaulin (3) is formed between the inner and outer scaffolds. The inner and outer scaffolds comprise profiles, where the profiles and the film/tarpaulin are adaptable for different applications. Protection plates (5) are arranged between the profiles of the inner and outer scaffolds and made of plastic or metal. The inner and outer scaffolds are interlocked by a screw or press connection (4) to form a gas-tight and waterproof connection.